The claim that changed the balance in the Red Sea! Secret support from Iran: Houthis' tactics are under the spotlight

It was claimed that Iran provided target identification, intelligence, training and operational support to the Houthis in attacks against forces affiliated with the Saudi Arabian and Yemeni government.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Houthis, strengthened by the contribution of Iranian military officials, advanced along the Red Sea coast, expanded their control area around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and targeted Saudi Arabia's oil facilities and airports.

The news, based on sources receiving information from Saudi Arabia and the Arab Coalition, noted that Iran's support helped the Houthis carry out their most advanced attacks to date.

It was claimed that target identification, intelligence sharing and tactical guidance support were provided in attacks carried out with unmanned aerial vehicles and ballistic missiles.

The Houthis' advance has increased security risks around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is strategically important for Saudi Arabia's oil exports. It was reported that the Houthis also targeted Saudi oil tankers, energy facilities and airports.

HOW DID IRAN'S SUPPORT TO THE HOUTHIS START?

According to the newspaper, Iran has supported the group since the Houthis captured Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2014. The Houthis, who seized the missiles and other weapons left behind by the government forces that withdrew from the capital at that time, improved their military capacity over time.

Claiming that Iran initially sent weapons to Yemen via cargo and fishing boats, the newspaper also claimed that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah in Lebanon trained the Houthis on the assembly and use of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The news also included the claim that Iran sent weapons to Yemen via submarines after the seaborne arms shipment was disrupted due to the operations of the USA and Israel.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates supported the internationally recognized government in Yemen and fought against the Houthis. However, the alleged military support provided by Iran affected the course of the conflict by increasing the group's missile and unmanned aerial vehicle capacity.

WSJ: CONFLICTS INCREASED WITH IRAN'S SUPPORT

The news claimed that the flights from Iran to Yemen last July were effective in the re-ignition of the conflict. Allegedly, two planes were sent to the Houthi-controlled region to carry passengers from Yemen to Tehran for the funeral of former Iranian leader Ali Khamenei.

It was stated that the flights were operated by Mahan Air, which is mentioned within the scope of sanctions against Iran. It was stated that after the shipment in question was discovered, Saudi Arabia-backed forces bombed the runway of Sanaa Airport in order to prevent the second flight. Following this development, it was claimed that the conflicts flared up again.

While the Houthis rejected this claim, they argued that portraying the flight as a military operation was intended to justify the Saudi attack.

NEW TACTICS IN THE ATTACKS OF THE Houthis

According to intelligence sources in the region, Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers supported the deployment of missile and radar systems in Yemen. It was claimed that this support was aimed at strengthening the Houthi presence in strategic points around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The Houthi attacks, which started at the beginning of September, carried out a large-scale operation supported by missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia were caught unprepared in the face of this operation.

An official from the Arab Coalition stated that the Houthis' new tactics are more advanced than in previous conflicts. According to the official, the Houthis launched a ground attack simultaneously with missile and drone operations.

Noting that unmanned aerial vehicles guided by fiber optic cables were also used in the attacks, the official argued that this was an indication of the training Iran gave to the Houthis.

THE HOUthis DEFENDED THAT THEY ACT INDEPENDENTLY FROM IRAN

Despite claims that they received support from Iran, the Houthis argued that they acted independently and developed their own military capacity.

The Houthi spokesman said these claims ignore the work it has done to improve its own military capabilities.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ismail Bekayi stated that "Iran does not interfere in Yemeni affairs" and that the Houthis "are completely independent actors and make their decisions in line with their own interests."

Stating that the Houthis produce some of their weapons in Yemen, WSJ claimed that the necessary parts for unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles are supplied directly from China.